Judith Broady‐Preston and Tegwen Williams
This paper reports the results of a research project undertaken in 2002, examining the degree to which organisations use information to create business value in a sample of law…
Abstract
This paper reports the results of a research project undertaken in 2002, examining the degree to which organisations use information to create business value in a sample of law firms in the City of London. A range of small, medium and large firms were surveyed and managers with strategic responsibility for information flow were interviewed. Results indicate that information is perceived as a valuable asset by law firms, although few could offer hard evidence to support such assertions.
Details
Keywords
Ingo Forstenlechner and Fiona Lettice
The purpose of this paper is to present and discuss the findings of research into the different means of motivating knowledge workers to participate in and contribute to knowledge…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present and discuss the findings of research into the different means of motivating knowledge workers to participate in and contribute to knowledge exchange and creation.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey was conducted among more than a quarter of the 2,500+ strong lawyer multinational law firm with 25+ offices in 15+ countries and analysed to provide insight into the differences on motivation and value perception across the cultural dividing lines. The results were analysed at regional level as well as organisational/generation level and analysed by statistical means and descriptive statistics. The key outcomes were analysed against literature to provide an in‐depth understanding on how to foster knowledge sharing.
Findings
Respondents showed distinct reactions towards the means to motivate them to share knowledge. Career prospects, authority, provision of charge codes, recognition among peers or one‐time incentives have a very diverse impact around the world.
Research limitations/implications
This survey itself was limited to one law firm. Thus, even though this firm is among the largest three firms in the world and considered a leader in knowledge management, this research is therefore not representative of the entire professional service sector or the law firm sector.
Practical implications
The results have been used within the case study organisation to improve the efficiency in motivating lawyers to share knowledge and lessons can be drawn for comparable organisations operating on a global scale.
Originality/value
Prior to this paper there has been little research into the motivation of global knowledge workers within the professional service environment.